Smoke candle and cup discharger for firing the smoke candle



March 19, 1963 w. FORQUIGNON ETAL 3,081,701

SMOKE CANDLE AND CUP DISCHARGER FOR FIRING THE SMOKE CANDLE Filed Aug. 15, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent Ofitice 3,681 {ml Patented Mar. 1%), 1863' 3,081,701 SMOKE CANDLE AND CUP DESCHARGER FOR BEING THE SMOKE CANDLE Werner Forquignon, Wistedt, Kreis Harburg, and Claus Tiedemann, Hamburg-Wandsbeh, Germany, assigners to Wefo Pyrotechnische Fabrik Wistedt W. Forquignon, Wistedt, Krcis Harburg, Germany Filed Aug. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 49,715 Claims priority, application Germany Aug. 13, 1959 14 Claims. (Cl. 1il2-3'7.6)

The invention relates to a cartridge and a cartridge case for firing said cartridge.

In accordance with the invention, the cartridge is provided with two ignition charges independent of one an other and a propellent charge, one of the ignition charges being manually ignitable by means of a friction igniter, and the other one being ignitable by the combustion gases of the propellent charge which is ignited from the outside of the cartridge case after the cartridge has been placed therein. Preferably, provisions are made for the propellent charge to be ignitable electrically. For this purpose, a primer pellet is projecting into the propellen charge, said pellet being connected electrically conduc tively with two contact rings arranged on the periphery of the cartridge. In this manner, a cartridge is provided which may be either fired out of the cartridge case or if removed therefrom, may be thrown by hand, and which is safeguarded at any time, and which may also be fired or thrown at any time without the necessity of especially disengaging a safeguard. It is of particular importance that all these possibilities exist independent of the fact whether the cartridge is taken from a magazine or whether it has already been placed once into a corresponding cartridge case for the purpose of charging. After the non-fired cartridge has been taken out of the cartridge case into which it had been placed for charging, it may be either placed back into the magazine without any special safeguarding, or thrown by hand.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is arranged at the open side of a container a body member serving to support two ignition charges and the propellent charge, the container serving in a manner known per se for the reception of the smoke set of the cartridge. In fact, said body member may be formed of any material. Suitably, however, it will consist of a synthetic material having good electrically insulating properties which will have especially favourable effects on the electric ignition for the propellent charge.

For the reception of the smoke set of the cartridge, the top of the container is suitably provided with a resilient sealing ring fixed thereto for instance by adhesion, welding or vulcanization, extending beyond the cylindrical periphery of the container and consisting preferably of rubber, synthetic rubber, or other synthetic material. The cartridge proper, in this connection, will suitably be packed after manufacturing in such a way that it is inserted into a cardboard sleeve closed at one end, the open part of which is sealed by the just described rubber sealing ring. Packed in this manner, the cartridge may be placed for storage (for instance also in the magazine of an armored car. If the cartridge is to be used, the rifleman takes the cardboard sleeve in one hand and seizes with the other hand the resilient sealing ring. He may then easily remove the cartridge from the cardboard sleeve. Thereupon, the cartridge may serve to charge a cartridge case, in which the above mentioned rubber sealing ring also serves to seal the opening of the cartridge case and to hold the cartridge in the car-tridge case. The cartridge may, however, also be thrown in this condition, in that prior thereto only the friction igniter need be torn off. Further details how to make use of the object of the invention will be stated below.

Furher advantages of the invention are disclosed in connection with the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is also shown in a schematic way in the enclosed drawing, in which FIG. 1 shows an elevational sectional view of a cartridge designed according to the invention, with an asso ciated cartridge case; this elevational view being a section taken on line 1-1 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is another elevational view of a section of the cartridge case of FIG. 1, i.e. taken on line 11- 11 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 3 shows a section of the cartridge case along line IlI-lII of FIGS. 1 and 2, seen in the direction indicated by the arrows a, b,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a sealing ring made in accordance with the invention, for sealing and holding of the cartridge in a packing sleeve or in an associated cartridge case.

The smoke set 1 which may be divided in a manner known per se into a quick acting smoke set and an afterwards acting smoke set, is press-fitted into the container 2, which may consist for instance of a thin tin sheet. One end of this container is closed by a top cover 3 likewise consisting of tin sheet, and which is connected to the jacket of the container for instance by crimping. Recesses or bores 4, 5 for the reception of the ignition charges to be described below, are pressed into the smoke set 1.

That side of the container 2, which has been open so far, is closed by a bottom cover 6 which is likewise conneeted with the jacket of the container for instance by crimping. On the bottom cover of the box, there is fastened a body member 7 which is preferably made of synthetic material, and serves to support a propellent charge 8 and the two ignition charges 9 and 10. The body member 7 is provided with a corresponding chamber 11 for the reception of the propellent charge, into which chamber an electric primer pellet 12 projects, the end of which being electrically conductively connected with two contact rings 13, 14 arranged at the periphery of the body member 7. Suitably, these two rings 13, 14 are consisting of brass. They may however also be made of a conductive lacquer or any other conductive material.

The two ignition charges 9 and 10 have the shape of bolts and are arranged in small tubes 15, 16 which are open on one side. For the reception of the friction igniter which is to ignite the ignition charge 9, there is provided in the body member 7 a stepped bore 17. At one end of this here a nipple 1 is inserted which is rigidly connected with the bottom cover 6 of the container 2 within a punched hole, as indicated at 1-8. In the bore 20 of the nipple, the open end of the ignition charge tube 15 is fastened in any suitable manner.

A friction igniter 122 is threaded into the threaded bore 21 of the nipple 19. This friction igniter is provided with an axially extending through bore 23 terminating at a delay tube member 24. Onto the outer end of the friction igniter 22, a cap 25 is threaded at the inside of which one end of a string is fastened, the other end thereof being in engagement with the ignition wire of a friction igniter bowl. In the ignition bowl, there is fastened in a manner known per se a primer composition which is ignited as soon as frictional heat is created by pulling-out the ignition string. The ignition flash enters the delay path 24 by passing through the bore 23 and then ignites the ignition charge 9 by which the smoke set will be ignited.

In the embodiment shown, a counter nut 27 is screwed onto the outside thread 26 of the friction igniter, that not bearing on the under side of the body member 7 when assembled. In this manner, the body member 7 is connected at this spot with the bottom cover 6 by means of the nut 27 which is screwed on one end of the nipple 22 of the friction igniter and the nipple 19 which is screwed on the other end. As will be seen from the explanation further below, the arrangement of the nut is not absolutely necessary.

There is furthermore provided a nipple 28 with an axially extending extending through bore 29 which enters a stepped bore 30 of the body member 7. This nipple 28 is threaded into the inner bore of a nut 36 which has a shoulder '31 bearing against the lower side of the bottom cover 6. On the other end, this nut 36 is provided with a bolt thread 32 onto which a nut 33 is screwed. In this manner, the nut 36 is rigidly connected with the bottom cover 6. The nipple 28 has a shoulder 34 abutting the body member 7 from below. In this way, the body member 7 is connected at this spot with the bottom cover 6 by means of the nipple 28 and the nuts 33 and 36'. At the upper opening of the nut 36, the open end of the ignition charge tube 16 is fastened. A spring 35 is arranged inside the ignition charge tube 16 pressing the ignition charge downwardly.

The cartridge which thus consists of the container 2 and the body member 7 with the parts fastened thereto, may be pushed into a cartridge case 37 for the purpose of firing. This cartridge case substantially consists of a cylindrical side wall and a bottom 38 which in the embodiment shown by way of example is removable. For this purpose, a groove 40 is provided in the ring 39 into which a spring ring 41 extends with one part, while another part extends into the groove 42 of the removable bottom. The spring ring 41 may be removed from the groove 40 for instance by means of an eccenter, whereupon the bottom may be pulled out in downward direction.

In the embodiment shown by way of example, the bottom 38 is provided with a center boss 43 on which, in the charged condition, the body member 7 of the cartridge is supported. In this way, a chamber 44 is provided beneath the body member 7 in the cartridge case. The cylindrical wall of the cartridge case is in addition provided with bores 45 disposed in planes coinciding with the contact rings 13, 14, through which the contact pins 46 are projecting which are yieldingly supported in a radial direction in the cartridge case in a manner not shown in detail. By means of the contact pins which are resiliently supported and insulated in the cartridge case, the contact rings 13, 14 and with them the electric primer pellet 12 may be connected to a source of voltage whereupon the propellent charge is ignited. The combustion gases entering into the bore 29 of the nipple 28 by passing the chamber 44 will ignite the ignition charge which in turn will ignite the smoke set.

Suitably, means will be provided to prevent an excessive pressure increase Within the container 2. For this purpose in the embodiment shown, there is provided in the body member 7 a bore 47 of a relatively large diameter which is sealed by a security device 47' becoming active when broken or fused. As soon as the pressure within the container 2 has reached a certain value after the ignition of the smoke set, it will force its way through the bore 47 into the room 44 in order to avoid in this manner too high a pressure increase. In case the bore 47 is arranged centrally the central boss 43 is preferably not solid but formed as a cylindrical ring.

It may however also be possible that the central bore 47 is omitted with the nut 27 being omitted simultaneously. The body member 7 is then connected with the bottom cover 6 only by means of the nipple 28 and the two nuts 36 and 33, which will bring about a certain instability. In the case of this design, the bottom cover 6 will be torn off as soon as the pressure inside the container 2 has reached a certain value thus insuring like- A wise a connection between the inside of the container and the chamber 44.

On the top cover 3 of the container, there is fastened a sealing ring 48 preferably made of rubber and integral with a disc 49 sealingly connected with the top cover 3 in any suitable manner, for instance by adhesion, welding or vulcanization. The sealing ring 48 is provided with a circumferentially depending flange 48 (see FIG. 4) having a radially inwardly directed lip 50 adapted to sealingly engage the outer surface of the cartridge case, when the cartridge is inserted.

A sleeve, in particular made of cardboard or of synthetic material serves for transport purposes, said sleeve resembling in structural appearance that of the cartridge case 37, except that its bottom is not removable. The cartridge is inserted into such packing sleeve for the purpose of transport and magazine storage, the sealing ring 8, serving for holding and sealing the cartridge in the sleeve. The cartridge case 37 may be fastened in any suitable manner to a war vehicle, for instance to an armored car. In the uncharged position, the cartridge case will be closed by a cover in a well known manner. For the purpose of charging, this cover is removed whereupon a cartridge may be inserted. In this operation, the lip 50 of the sealing ring 48 will insure that the cartridge is always pushed toward the bottom of the cartridge case to be supported thereon with a certain pressure. Such an effect of the rubber sealing ring is particularly advantageous, since it insures that the cartridge is kept in a position of rest within the cartridge case, even if the vehicle is moving. In order to fire the cartridge out of the cartridge case, it is merely necessary to close the electric circuit of the primer pellet 12 in the described manner, whereupon the propellent set and the smoke set will be ignited and the ignited cartridge will be fired a short time later from the cartridge case. The cartridge may, however, also be taken out of the cartridge case again and may be stored again for further use. For this purpose it will not be necessary to specially safeguard the cartridge in any way. When throwing the cartridge, only a prior tearing oil of the friction igniter in a manner known per se will be necessary.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to that type of embodiment, which has been described in detail in the foregoing specification. Various changes may made by those skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the present invention. Especially, the cartridge containing a smoke composition may as well be replaced by a cartridge containing an incendiary or an explosive composition and the cartridge proper may as well be fired by rocket drive, spring force or compressed air.

What we claim is:

1. In a device of the character described in combination, a cartridge case having a side wall and a bottom wall, a container filled with a composition to be ignited, said container having a side wall and end walls rigidly secured thereto, a body member forming one of said end walls, ignition means capable of being selectively ignited manually by friction or electrically by closing the circuit thereof with a current source mounted within said body member, said container being removably insertable into said cartridge case, said cartridge case having electrical contact means associated therewith cooperating with said ignition means for connecting said ignition means with a current source, said body member and said bottom wall of said cartridge case being spaced from each other thereby forming a combustion chamber, said ignition means including a first charge carrying ignition tube extending through said body member into said container, manual ignition means associated with said first tube, a chamber defined in said body member, an electrically ignited ignition member mounted in said body member extending into said body member chamber, said body member chamber communicating with said combustion chamber and filled with a propelling charge, a second ignition tube extending through said body member into said container and carrying an ignition charge and means defined in said second tube establishing communication between the charge thereof and said combustion chamber to ignite said second tube charge with the combustion gases within said combustion chamber.

2. A device of the character described in claim 1, characterized in that said electrically ignited ignition member comprises an electric primer pellet projecting into said propelling charge, two contact rings arranged on the periphery of body member and conductors connecting said rings to said pellet.

3. A device of the character described in claim 1, characterized in that said body member is fastened to a disc-shaped cover closing the open end of the container and being secured thereto.

4. A device of the character described in claim 1, characterized in that recesses are defined in said composition and said first and said second ignition tubes project into said recesses, armatures secured to said body member supporting said tubes, said armatures being provided with bores serving as flash holes leading to said tube ignition charges.

5. A device of the character described in claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said ignition tubes is supported on said body member by a nipple having a bore extending axially therethrough, and means defined on said nipple cooperating with said cover to secure said body member to said cover of said container.

6. A device of the character described in claim 1, characterized in that a sealing ring is afiixed to the end wall of said container opposite from said body member and projects beyond the periphery of said container and sealingly engages the open end of said cartridge case remote from the bottom wall thereof.

7. A device of the character described in claim 6, characterized in that said sealing ring is defined as an integral part of a disc fixedly connected to said container.

8. A device of the character described in claim 1, characterized in that pressure release means are operatively associated with the inside said container.

9. A device of the character described in claim 1, characterized in that a bore of large cross section is defined in said body member communicating with the inside of said container and said combustion chamber and a pressure or fusing sensitive fracturable device within said bore.

10. A device of the character described in claim 1, characterized in that said bottom wall of said cartridge case is provided with an inwardly protruding projection engaging said body member whereby said body member is spacedly supported from said cartridge case bottom wall thereby forming said combustion chamber.

11. A device of the character described in claim 2, characterized in that said cartridge case includes radial bores disposed therein in opposition to said contact rings provided on the periphery of said body member, contact pins supported within said radial bores and biased toward said contact rings.

12. A device of the character described in claim 1, characterized in that the bottom wall of said cartridge case is detachably connected with the side wall of said cartridge case.

13. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cartridge case having a bottom wall and an open upper end, a container filled with a composition to be ignited, said container having a side wall, a first closed end and a body member defining a second closed end, said container being slidably and removably received Within said case, with said body member disposed adjacent said case bottom wall, a combustion chamber de fined between said body member and case bottom wall, ignition means supported within said body member extending within said composition, a propelling charge containing chamber defined within said body member communicating with said combustion chamber, means for igniting said propelling charge, means for igniting said ignition means and a sealing member affixed to said container first closed end sealingly engaging the open upper end of said case.

14. In a device of the character described as in claim 13 wherein said means for igniting said propelling charge comprises an electrically ignited primer pellet, a pair of contact rings mounted on the exterior of said body member connected to said pellet, contact means mounted in said case engaging said rings, said means igniting said ignition means including a charge containing tube within said composition, a nipple mounted on said body member supporting said tube and extending through said body member and a passage defined in said nipple establishing communication between said combustion chamber and the charge within said tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 712,826 Mason Nov. 4, 1902 2,386,211 Grant Oct. 9, 1945 2,423,859 Van Karner July 15, 1947 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED IN COMBINATION, A CARTRIDGE CASE HAVING A SIDE WALL AND A BOTTOM WALL, A CONTAINER FILLED WITH A COMPOSITION TO BE IGNITED, SAID CONTAINER HAVING A SIDE WALL AND END WALLS RIGIDLY SECURED THERETO, A BODY MEMBER FORMING ONE OF SAID END WALLS, IGNITION MEANS CAPABLE OF BEING SELECTIVELY IGNITED MANUALLY BY FRICTION OR ELECTRICALLY BY CLOSING THE CIRCUIT THEREOF WITH A CURRENT SOURCE MOUNTED WITHIN SAID BODY MEMBER, SAID CONTAINER BEING REMOVABLY INSERTABLE INTO SAID CARTRIDGE CASE, SAID CARTRIDGE CASE HAVING ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH COOPERATING WITH SAID IGNITION MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID IGNITION MEANS WITH A CURRENT SOURCE, SAID BODY MEMBER AND SAID BOTTOM WALL OF SAID CARTRIDGE CASE BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER THEREBY FORMING A COMBUSTION CHAMBER, SAID IGNITION MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST CHARGE CARRYING IGNITION TUBE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BODY MEMBER INTO SAID CONTAINER, MANUAL IGNITION MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRST TUBE, A CHAMBER DEFINED IN SAID BODY MEMBER, AN ELECTRICALLY IGNITED IGNITION MEMBER MOUNTED IN SAID BODY MEMBER EXTENDING INTO SAID BODY MEMBER CHAMBER, SAID BODY MEMBER CHAMBER COMMUNICATING WITH SAID COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND FILLED WITH A PROPELLING CHARGE, A SECOND IGNITION TUBE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BODY MEMBER INTO SAID CONTAINER AND CARRYING AN IGNITION CHARGE AND MEANS DEFINED IN SAID SECOND TUBE ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CHARGE THEREOF AND SAID COMBUSTION CHAMBER TO IGNITE SAID SECOND TUBE CHARGE WITH THE COMBUSTION GASES WITHIN SAID COMBUSTION CHAMBER. 